Replace Rollers on your Sliding Door
The rollers of your sliding door will eventually become harder to slide open when after some time, mostly after some years. This is a common problem for aluminium frame dual pane doors. The doors are heavier due to the dual pane glass but many of the aluminum units do not use stainless steel rollers. Moisture will make the rollers rusty and then, they will start to bind. Here are the steps on how you can replace the rollers on your sliding door.
You will need:
- Thin Screwdriver Or Drill
- A Helper
- Rubber Mallet
- New Rollers
Steps:
- First, remove the screen door if you have one. The screen door will have two rollers on the bottom. With one hand, lift one end of the door frame while using a flat screwdriver to lift the roller off the track.
- When finished lifting in both sides, take out the screen door and set it aside. Search for a metal piece on the bottom track that runs from the bottom corner of the fixed panel all the way to the bottom of the side jamb that has the door lock. That piece might be missing if your sliding door is really old. You can pry it up from the track if you still have one, it can found snapped in place even though it looks like it is a part of the track.
- Then, look inside the house where the fixed panel is against the wall jam. Search for screws holding the frame to the jam which usually are located near the top and bottom corners, and near the center. You should be able to pull the fixed panel out of the side jam. If it is stuck, grab the center rail near the bottom and lift up as hard as you can.
- Pull it back down if you feel the panel is a bit up. Repeat a couple of times then try to pull it out of the side jam. Pry while a helper pulls the panel away from the jam.
- Grab the fixed panel side rail and have a helper grab the other rail once you get it free of the side jam. Lift the panel up into the top track and swing the bottom out of the bottom track. Remove the panel from the top track and set it aside with the screen door.
- Next, lift the slider up and out with the same step as the fixed panel. Once the slider out, you will see that all rollers are held in place by the same screw that holds the frame corners together. Take a rubber mallet or the wood handle of a hammer and tap the bottom frame off the glass. Remove only one roller as a model for the new ones in hardware stores or in your local glass shop. Use the roller that is still in place as a guide to install new ones.
- Take everything out before installing new rollers. Before putting the door back in, adjust the new rollers so they won\’t be a problem when you lift the doors back in place. Adjust the new rollers down until it slides well and locks securely.
Additional Reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5109246_replace-sliding-door-rollers.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninette_luz/544048171/
